applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈa-pli-kənt 

: one who applies

a job applicant

Synonyms

• applier
• aspirant
• campaigner
• candidate
• contender
• expectant
• hopeful
• prospect
• seeker

Examples of applicant in a Sentence

We interviewed 30 qualified applicants for the job.

have numerous applicants for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

Less than 1% of applicants get hired for the summer internship, which serves as a major feeder for the investment bank’s analyst class. —Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024

More than half of its recent applicants had a weight-loss focus on their website. —Julia Ingram, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2024

Their data show that only about 35 colleges are considered Most Selective, accepting less than 15% of applicants and having test scores in the 25%ile of 1340. —Scott White, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Correction, September 19, 11 am ET: A previous version of this story conflated the number of applicants with the number of applications sent through the Common App. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

applicate "to apply, put to use" (borrowed from Latin applicātus, past participle of applicāre "to bring into contact [with], situate near, bring to bear [on]") + -ant entry 1 — more at apply

First Known Use

circa 1742, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈap-li-kənt 

: one who applies for something

an applicant for work